Top 10 Greatest Movies of the 21st Century According to Rotten Tomatoes

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Only 26 years of the 21st century have passed, but movie fans have already seen many unforgettable films. From animated adventures to emotional dramas, choosing the greatest movies of the 21st century can be very difficult because so many modern films have received praise from critics and audiences.

Many of these movies became global hits and won important awards. Some surprised viewers with original stories, while others brought exciting action and emotional moments. Different countries, directors, and actors helped create movies that changed modern cinema and became loved by millions around the world.

In this article, we have collected some of the greatest movies of the 21st century according to Rotten Tomatoes. Keep reading to discover award-winning films, exciting adventures, emotional stories, and modern classics that may become your next favorite movie night choice.

Where to Watch: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Deman

Directed by Asghar Farhadi, A Separation is an Iranian drama about a married couple facing divorce while also caring for an elderly parent. A simple argument soon turns into a much larger conflict involving another family, creating emotional and legal problems for everyone involved. The movie became famous for its realistic storytelling and complex characters. Leila Hatami and Peyman Moaadi delivered natural performances that made the drama feel honest and powerful.

Where to Watch: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, FlixFling, Fandango At Home, Shout! Factory TV, Kanopy, Plex Player

Based on a true story, Spotlight follows a group of journalists from The Boston Globe as they investigate a major abuse scandal connected to the Catholic Church. The movie focuses on careful reporting, teamwork, and the challenges of finding the truth. Directed by Tom McCarthy, the film stars Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, and Stanley Tucci. Its serious storytelling and strong acting helped it win the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Where to Watch: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home

Starring Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler tells the story of Randy Robinson, an aging professional wrestler whose career is slowly ending. While dealing with health problems and financial struggles, he also tries to rebuild his relationship with his daughter. Director Darren Aronofsky created a realistic and emotional sports drama that received major praise from critics. Rourke’s performance became one of the biggest highlights of the film and helped revive his Hollywood career.

Where to Watch: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, Plex

This Japanese monster movie gave new life to the famous Godzilla franchise. Set after World War II, the story follows Koichi Shikishima, a former pilot struggling with guilt while Japan faces destruction from Godzilla. Instead of focusing only on action, the movie also spends time developing emotional human stories. Directed by Takashi Yamazaki, the film impressed audiences with strong visual effects, tense scenes, and powerful performances from Ryunosuke Kamiki and Minami Hamabe.

Where to Watch: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home

The beginning of Up became one of the most emotional openings in animation history. The story follows Carl Fredricksen, an old man who attaches thousands of balloons to his house and travels to South America. A young scout named Russell joins him on the adventure. Directed by Pete Docter, the movie mixes comedy, heartwarming moments, and exciting action. Ed Asner’s voice performance helped make Carl one of Pixar’s most memorable characters.

Where to Watch: Disney Plus, fuboTV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home

In Toy Story 3, Andy is preparing to leave for college, and his toys worry about their future. Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and the others accidentally end up inside a daycare center that is not as friendly as it first appears. The movie combines humor, adventure, and emotional scenes that touched many viewers around the world. Directed by Lee Unkrich, the film received praise for giving the famous Pixar series a powerful and satisfying continuation.

Where to Watch: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home

Directed by Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois, this animated adventure tells the story of Hiccup, a young Viking who becomes friends with a dragon named Toothless. In his village, dragons are seen as dangerous enemies, so his friendship creates many problems. The movie became famous for its beautiful flying scenes and emotional connection between the characters. Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, and America Ferrera helped bring the story to life with excellent voice acting.

Where to Watch: Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home

Pixar created one of the most beloved animated movies with Finding Nemo. The story follows Marlin, a nervous clownfish who travels across the ocean to rescue his son Nemo after he is captured by divers. Along the journey, he meets the funny and forgetful Dory. The colorful underwater world, emotional moments, and humor made the movie popular with both children and adults. Albert Brooks and Ellen DeGeneres gave strong voice performances.

Where to Watch: Paramount+, AMC+, Philo, fuboTV, Amazon Video, JustWatch TV, FlixFling, Spectrum On Demand, Plex, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home

More than 30 years after the original movie, Tom Cruise returned as Maverick in this exciting action sequel. He must train young pilots for a dangerous mission while facing memories from his past. The flying scenes look very realistic and became one of the movie’s biggest attractions. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, the film also stars Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, and Glen Powell. Many viewers loved its emotional story and thrilling airplane battles.

Where to Watch: Hulu, Max

Some of you may feel surprised that the top movie on this list is a Korean film. Directed by Bong Joon Ho, Parasite follows the poor Kim family as they slowly enter the lives of a rich household by pretending to be skilled workers. The movie mixes dark comedy, suspense, and shocking twists in a very clever way. Song Kang-ho gives a memorable performance, while the film became a worldwide success after winning the Academy Award for Best Picture.